I can't wait any longer, so here is Episode 2. The double slashes indicate a comment by me that you should keep in mind when reading this. Just a forewarning that the rest of this story may change later.
I will release one episode every Saturday at 2pm EST. Look for them around that time. There will be 5 more after this one.
Finally, this episode will contain spoilers for the final probe planet, Phaedra II. If you haven't done it yet, I encourage you to do so before reading. You have been warned...
Episode 2
I arranged a meeting with Madaera. When we sat down to review her petition, my first question to her after several years of silence after her father's quest was, "How did Jack win?"
//insert the moments of TiTS final probe planet leading up to the final moments of the final dungeon here. what follows is just a placeholder
Madaera said, "Well, maybe I should set this up. When I arrived on Phaedra II, I learned that there was something weird going on when one of the natives was banging on my ship. I went to check and saw a plant morph banging her staff on my hull. 'What are you doing?' I asked. As friendly as could be, she complimented me on such a marvel, and wanted a selfie. How could I refuse? She then told me that if I wanted to travel where I needed to go, I should go north.
"What transpired was a whole quest to try to get into the facility where Jack surmised the probe was. Along the way, I met up with him and his new bodyguard. I think her name was Johana..." I interrupted her then, "Yes, I know her. She's one of my better mercenaries."
Madaera just blinked at me. I further explained that all of Jack's bodyguards were hired from Blast Corp. She looked incredulous, and asked, "So why are we having this meeting then?"
I responded, "My corporation is neutral. If you had asked for my help during your quest, I would have gladly given it to you for a price, as I have a reputation to maintain. As for this meeting, Jack and Max crossed me, and I want payback, not only for the smears they levied against Blast Corp., but for the fact they thought they could do it to buy out my corporation at a discount."
She pondered this for a moment, then said, "Ok. Mind if I continue?" I motioned in the affirmative. "Ok. Now where was I... Ah, yes. We took the train headed to the distant location, some forest sanctuary in the wastes, where our destination apparently lied. We got ambushed along the way, but they were nothing compared to me and Johana.
"When we arrived, we began the trek to the facility. We were stopped at the gates. You see, there was an AI in charge of Phaedra II's 'clean up' efforts. All that means is that she recruited a cult following to horde all the 'dangerous tech' from the planet. 'Dangerous' meaning anything too technologically advanced. She didn't trust us yet, so in order to get into the place, we had to gain favor with her so-called cult. That meant finding things and turning them in to an agent wandering the wastes. I eventually succeeded in gaining access, only to find Jack waiting at the entrance.
"We entered together and progressed to the cult leader AI. Jack and I confronted her because she was holding the final probe. What ensued was a mental battle to try and get this corrupted Kiha Corp. AI to release the probe. When we finally succeeded, Jack rushed to the probe and touched it. It activated, and I could see the screen. I quickly pulled out my codex to try and beat Jack to the punch, but he was just that little bit faster. And that's how he won."
//end placeholder 1. expect this to change when TiTS msq is finished
Then I asked what she did afterwards, up to the point she sent me the email.
//placeholder 2
"The AI let me go. She said I made a valiant effort, and no one would bother me on my way out of her facility."
//end placeholder 2. do note that the rest of this story, not just this episode, was written without considering anything in these placeholders and may not change unless it has to, as a reminder
"I started the trek back to my ship and crew, utterly dejected. On the way, I had time to think about what should happen next. When I finally arrived, I had a long talk with everyone, discussing the situation and what we should do now. Some wanted to leave, others wanted to stay, still others had to think on it. They all had kind words to say, but I could tell they felt the same way I did. After the conversation was done, I went to bed.
"The next morning, I found out Anno and Kase had quit Steele Tech while I was asleep. In their words, they were all in on me and not Jack. That's something that punk could learn: how to build loyalty with the people you trust.
"Prospects were grim. I had enough credits fortunately, giving me enough time to figure things out. I eventually decided to retire and become a house wife. But with who? There were many people I befriended during the rush, so it was a hard choice. In the end, I chose Kase.
"He and I had several kids, and it was at that point I received an email from Tamani Corp., of all things preposterous. 'Hey there, eager breeder!' the subject line read. I was intrigued; why would they be sending me this email? Is this some kind of scam?"
Madaera pulled out her codex. "This thing was probably the greatest gift my dad gave me after he passed. With it, I can do just about anything. I had it scan the email just in case, and when the result came up clean, I read it.
"It was an advertisement for a 'lucrative' opportunity about increasing the rahn population. I could earn some credits in exchange for bringing their eggs to term. At the time, I was jobless, and had lost my place in Tavros' nursery (thanks, Jack). I was just raising the kids while living with Kase in his apartment. He was working at Ilaria's bakery at the time," Madeara let out a chuckle, "Silly kitty has quite the sweet tooth. When he wasn't at the bakery, he was working on some personal projects for a bit of extra credits. Anyway, I showed him the email after he got home after work. His only response was for both of us to sleep on it, so we did. In the morning, we agreed that I should go for it.
"And, oh boy, did I ever. At first, it wasn't that great of a payout. However, after a while, when I approached the front desk the receptionist asked if I would be interested in the Premium Breeder program. Signing up for that really got the ball rolling. In the meantime, I was looking for other ways to possibly make this new job, if you can call it that, more profitable. Long story short, I now have 3 wombs and a gestation time about 20 times faster than normal. Kase didn't see me again for about a year after I finished modding myself. Fortunately, Anno helped with the kids during this time so that they would still have a mother figure.
"When I was done with that, I returned home, quite the rich young lady. The kids were excited to see me again. After they settled down, Kase surprised me with a proposition, 'Maddie, I think you have enough credits now to hire Blast Corp. to depose Jack and Max.' 'What?' was my only response. He said, 'You haven't heard? They have been involved in a hostile takeover attempt by Steele Tech, and you might just be the answer they need.' I was tired, having just endured a 10 hour ship flight, so I went to bed. When I woke up, I asked Kase who your company was. He said that you had changed the name from the Tae Adon Corp., and that's when I knew I had to email you, as my father had used your services in the past and only had kind words to say."
It was then that it hit me, and I just had to ask, "Kitty? Kase is a kaithrit? Did he... grow breasts?" She chuckled at that, then said, "Oh, no. That's just something that happens between kaithrits. As a human, I don't produce the pregnancy hormone that causes that in males."
"Ah, ok," I shrugged it off, "also, very kind of you to tell me that about Victor. I'm sure my father will appreciate it." It was time to seal the deal. "Ok, Madaera. This mission will cost you 50 million credits. And you will have to come with me and my mercenary crews as we do this. Also, I'm afraid something like this will set off some alarms, and you would help diffuse the inevitable situation with the UGC around Steele Tech's holdings' planets."
She looked at me for just a second, and said only one word, "Deal."
